Taking the Mystery out of Leadership

Archive for the month “November, 2018”

He was oppressed and afflicted, yet he did not open his mouth; he was led like a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep before her shearers is silent, so he did not open his mouth. Isaiah 53:7 (NIV 1984)

When he was accused by the chief priests and the elders, he gave no answer. Then Pilate asked him, “Don’t you hear the testimony they are bringing against you?” But Jesus made no reply, not even to a single charge–to the great amazement of the governor. Matthew 27:12-14

The chief priests accused him of many things. So again Pilate asked him, “Aren’t you going to answer? See how many things they are accusing you of.” But Jesus still made no reply, and Pilate was amazed. Mark 15:3-5

We have recently seen how accusations – whether verifiable or not, accurate or not – have become accepted as true. The seeming emotional state of the accuser was proof of the accusations, rather than their veracity or falsehood. The resulting damage done to both the accused and the process of law are hard to measure.

Jesus too was accused at His trials. Before the Sanhedrin it says, “The chief priests and the whole Sanhedrin were looking for false evidence against Jesus so that they
could put him to death. But they did not find any, though many false witnesses came forward.” Matthew 26:59-60 (NIV 1984)

Before the governor He acknowledged that He was the King of the Jews as accused (Matthew 27:11). But, the other accusations against Him made by the Jewish leaders of inciting rebellion or insurrection against Caesar, He declined to answer – to the amazement of His accusers.

Jesus entrusted His fate to His heavenly Father. Knowing that His destiny was to die for His people, He chose not to defend Himself or correct the accusations. Rather, He asked His Father to forgive them for they did not know what they were doing.

How important is your public reputation? Can God be trusted to defend you and your reputation should the need arise? In what circumstances should we offer a rebuttal or a defense? Wisdom is needed for sure!

Four times Nehemiah asks that the Lord “remember” him for his faithful and sacrificial leadership (Nehemiah 5:19; 13:14, 22, 31). Nehemiah entrusted the lasting impact and any possible reward for his labors to the Lord who sees all and rewards those who are faithful (see Hebrews 11:6; Matthew 25 – Parable of the Talents; Luke 19 – Parable of the 10 Gold Coins). Unfortunately, for many leaders, we seek to ensure that we get the credit, reward, accolades, and affirmation of success we think are due us, rather than leaving those outcomes to the Lord.

Here’s several spiritual checks that help keep us on the right path:

We all want to be well-thought-of. That’s natural. But, do we tend to grab the ‘spotlight’ and make sure that it is shining directly upon us? Can we share the spotlight with others, acknowledging their contribution in our success?

Leaders often sacrifice much – many times without the knowledge of others. Is it enough that Jesus sees my sacrifices and the hard work I put in? Or, do I need to let others know of my labors on their behalf, seeking words or deeds of appreciation back from them?

Can I trust Jesus that He not only sees my labor and sacrifice, but that He will also reward me in His way and in His time for my labor?

How important is it that I get the credit for any successes or contributions?

Do I see my leadership as a right or a privilege? Do I have a sense of stewardship of my leadership responsibility – a responsibility that one day I will have to give an account to God for?

Jesus says in Luke 17:7-10 – “Suppose one of you had a servant plowing or looking after the sheep. Would he say to the servant when he comes in from the field, ‘Come along now and sit down to eat’? Would he not rather say, ‘Prepare my supper, get yourself ready and wait on me while I eat and drink; after that you may eat and drink’? Would he thank the servant because he did what he was told to do? So you also, when you have done everything you were told to do, should say, ‘We are unworthy servants; we have only done our duty.’ ”

For who makes you different from anyone else? What do you have that you did not receive? And if you did receive it, why do you boast as though you did not? 1 Corinthians 4:7 (NIV 1984)

“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” …. Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?” Matthew 16:13,15 (NLT)

Jesus was asking these questions to bring into focus of the Twelve what they believed about Him. He used questions to force them to reflect on their personal beliefs. He was not having an identity crisis!

How to insure that your investment in others will have a lasting impact? It’s a matter of focus – focusing on beliefs.

You can influence another my focusing on their outward actions or behavior. Accountability structures or ‘rules’ will insure that others conform to the expected performance standards. But, as soon as they step out of this environment, they will revert back to their ‘default’ behavior patterns or adopt new patterns that align with the new environment they are in.

A more lasting impact can be had by focusing on a person’s values. By helping shape values, we can impact behavior because values determine choices which result in behavior. Values can be encouraged and re-enforced by the environment we create. But, once again, when others leave this environment they will find themselves in a new one with different values that are influencing them to conform.

By focusing on beliefs / convictions and deeper matters of the heart, we can see true transformation in the lives of others that will last. Personal beliefs will deepen and mature over time, but need to be rooted in the Scriptures which do not change and God’s character which is immutable. Beliefs drive values which cause choices resulting in behavior.

These three levels of focus – beliefs, values, or actions (behavior) all will have impact. But, impact that lasts comes from influencing what one believes. Helping others answer “why,” not just “what” or “how” will plant seeds that grow to a fruitful maturity over time.

In Acts 13:2 we read this fascinating account: “While they were worshiping the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, “Set apart for me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.”” (NIV 1984) We know from the previous chapters that Barnabas had gone to Tarsus, recruited Paul to come back with him to Antioch, and there, for a year or more, they discipled new believers.

Now, the Holy Spirit is setting them apart for a new initiative, to take the gospel to the Gentile peoples of the surrounding provinces of the Roman Empire. It was natural that Barnabas would be the leader of the enterprise, given his maturity, history with Paul as his mentor, and his experience.

But something interesting happened on their first journey. Having left Cyprus, they landed on the shore of modern-day Turkey. Their John Mark leaves the missionary band and from here forward the order of leadership is reversed. Now the team is referred to as Paul and Barnabas, not the previous order. Paul has now surpassed his mentor in authority and influence.

Later Paul and Barnabas once again tried to team up for a second journey, but could not agree on whether to take John Mark with them. Certainly, Barnabas, being a relative of John Mark, had the personal development of his nephew in mind when he selected him. And he was successful in the end, for Paul later refers to John Mark as being “helpful to me for my ministry.” (see 2 Timothy 4:11) But, at this time, they disagreed and split – Paul taking Silas with him instead.

Paul’s separation and surpassing of Barnabas was now complete. He had outgrown his mentor and now was well-established as a Kingdom leader in his own right. He was leading his own team and initiative and God’s hand was clearly on him, using him to advance the gospel among peoples who had not heard.

Mentors are often surpassed by their protégés in influence and impact. In fact, it should be an objective for all mentors and coaches that those we help far outstrip and surpass us. Our attitude should be that of John the Baptist who was losing influence and people to Jesus. When John’s disciples noted that “… everyone is going to him,” John replied with a humble recognition of Jesus’ future as well as his own, “He must become greater; I must become less.” (John 3:30 NIV 1984)

For some who find their significance in being the leader, the development of a mentee can be seen as a threat and they find it hard to platform this ‘young Turk,’ knowing that the spotlight is now moving away from them to another. Rather than being threatened, we should rejoice in this reality.

Who can you shine the spotlight on today, taking it off of yourself and placing it squarely on one who you know has a future more than you? Can you do this with a good attitude and in true sincerity?